# SDMB FOOTIE FOCUS: September **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 1, 2003, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942 "2003-09-01T09:30:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/81 "2003-09-04T13:09:00Z")
_If only you’d give me my Lev Yashin poster back Six months ago I returned your brown anorak But you keep forgetting, and it’s far too upsetting So baby Ferenc Puskas to you With boots on_ ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/82 "2003-09-04T14:58:00Z")
Think you know your football? Think you know big Ron? Put yourself to the test with this little lollipop early doors. Win a spotters badge. [http://www.dangerhere.com/quizzer/](http://www.dangerhere.com/quizzer/) ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/83 "2003-09-04T15:07:04Z")
[Alan Ball](http://www.uit.no/mancity/staff/old/ball.html): 6 times, 6 teams. Any advance on 6? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/84 "2003-09-04T15:34:29Z")
This is important - please disseminate it as you see fit:\>\>\>\>\>\> Notts County Supporters Trust (Press Release - for immediate release) NOTTS COUNTY FC: ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION Notts County is heading towards extinction in five days. There is a very real chance that the match at Meadow Lane against Luton Town this Saturday could be the last ever game for the world’s oldest League club. We have all seen the news about how financial backers of the group put together by former Chairman Derek Pavis have withdrawn their support, leaving the future of the world’s oldest League club in serious doubt. The administrators Kroll must now present a case for the future of the club at the Football League meeting on Monday, September 8th. Failure to do so may signal the end of Notts County’s 115-year membership of the League and the end of a vital piece of football history. As this deadline approaches, representatives of the independent Supporters’ Trust continue to work `behind the scenes’ to help engineer a solution. Today, members of the Trust have discussed with the administrators Kroll how the future of our football club can be secured, which is where YOU can help. We are appealing to supporters everywhere to help secure the future of Notts County Football Club. We need everyone to give what they can. However small or large a donation \_ whether it is a £1, £100 or £1000 or more, together we can make a difference. The Trust believes that with the goodwill of supporters everywhere we can raise between £250,000-500,000 by Monday - the deadline set by the Football League. The Trust is not going to let the world’s oldest league club go out of business without a fight. The idea that Saturday’s match against Luton Town being the last is unthinkable. That would be a tragedy \_ not only for the people of Nottinghamshire but for our national game. With all YOUR support we can be a part of saving the World’s Oldest League Club. For details on how to send donations see the Notts County Supporters Trust website: [www.nottscotrust.org.uk](http://www.nottscotrust.org.uk) SAVE NOTTS! Please distribute this as far and as wide as possible. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/85 "2003-09-04T15:42:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SentientMeat \* > \*\ ***manscaroni** , your list reads like a Half Man Half Biscuit song. > > \*\* Which one? ‘Fuck me, it’s Audrey Hepburn’? ‘Hair like Alfie Conn Blues’? ‘Peter Purves eyes’? ‘Bastard son of Richard Littlejohn’? ‘Get Coates’? ‘I hate Alan Gilzean’? ‘D’ye ken Desmond Dekker?’? ‘Jimmy Greaves Anchorman’? I only know Precious McKenzie from his appearances on Blue Peter when I was a Kid, and I can assure you that I’ve got better things to do than listen to 80’s groups from Liverpool suburbs… ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/86 "2003-09-04T15:56:51Z")
[I left my heart in Papworth General](http://cobweb.quantisci.co.uk/hmhb/records/lyrics/DHSSlyr4.htm) has a verse about The Precious. They’re still going, by the way. Four lads who shook the Wirral. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/87 "2003-09-04T16:16:13Z")
[Football poetry, anyone?](http://footballpoets.org/links.asp) And some examples from WSC’s Pele’s Poetry: **"I Am Tony Adams"** “I am Tony Adams,” said Tony Adams When I asked him to explain his philosophy of life. “Tony Adams sees the beauty in all things,” said Tony Adams. "What, even Martin Keown, " I said. “Erm…” said Tony Adams **Full Back** Full back, full back English full back Kicks it into touch. Likes to tackle, Shout and dribble (The last one not that much). ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/88 "2003-09-05T14:03:28Z")
With regard top the above. THis month’s WSC (when Saturday Comes for the non-brits) is a must read. It’s the 200th WSC and has a supplement looking back to the last 16 years. It is amazing to realise just how much things have changed, for better (stadiums) and worse (murdoch, prawn sandwiches, wages etc). I have been reading WSC since pretty much the beginning, and it is always worth the money. If you’re not a reader - give it a go. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/89 "2003-09-05T15:41:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > \*\*I have been reading WSC since pretty much the beginning… \*\* …When it was a Gooner Fanzine? Are you with The Woolwich? Agreed, though; always worth a read if you can find it. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/90 "2003-09-05T16:12:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mascaroni \* > \*\*…When it was a Gooner Fanzine? > Are you with The Woolwich? > > Agreed, though; always worth a read if you can find it. \*\* Eh? I support a north london team. Actually there is a review of their covers inside and spurs and spurs realted people are by far the most common (mainly because of hoddle, venables and sugar, not to mention Gazza). ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/91 "2003-09-05T16:41:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > \*\*Eh? > > I support a north london team. > > Actually there is a review of their covers inside and spurs and spurs realted people are by far the most common (mainly because of hoddle, venables and sugar, not to mention Gazza). \*\* I’m sure it started life as an Arse fanzine though… No cite. (that’s what I like about this thread - there’s no over-educated Septics on here to ask for one…) ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/92 "2003-09-05T16:45:05Z")
I thought it had come out of the Snipe fanzine, which was a music fanzine with an unhealthy interest in Siouxsie Sioux. THis could, of course, be total bollocks. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/93 "2003-09-08T10:07:22Z")
[quote] _Originally posted by PresentimentMeat_[ul][li]International: The Welsh dragon requires a puff of Ventolin to get to Portugal, while England bedazzle the world with inspirational 2-1 wins against unbelievably crap teams.[/ul][/li][/quote] Tarot readings by request. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/94 "2003-09-08T10:19:33Z")
I will see your Tarot and raise you a yankee in which I got all four results right! The England game was dreadful, wasn’t it? We are a shadow of the team without Gerard, hopefully he’ll be ok for the Turks. Ashley Cole is a liability and quite his continued presence in the side shows up one of Sven’s major faults - a reliance on picking crap players from good clubs (Gary Neville anyone?). Wayne Bridge must get a game against Liechenstien. Owen Hargreaves played well I thought. And Campbell? I’ve always known he’s rubbish 🙂 The first half of the Wales game was great fun - and also showed the difference between England and real class. Good teams swat aside minnows, not get bogged down. I am quietly confident about wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/95 "2003-09-08T10:44:12Z")
I thought the first half in Milan was a superb display: a very even match indeed, thinks I. And then, suddenly, the Premiership drained from us and we were back to plucky Division 2 cloggers getting turned over and under by half decent opposition. The change, when it came, was staggering. Milan miraculously transformed into the Racecourse Ground circa 1985, as Joey Jones and Mickey Thomas try to inspire a nation of egg-chasers to indulge in the beautiful game. God, it was horrible. I hope their nerve is not shattered. England were as dull as ever. That is why my “us” has crossed the border. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/96 "2003-09-08T10:49:33Z")
Huh, mine has too. I was actually more gutted by the Welsh result than by the Irish one (it had to be fecking Inzaghi … :mad: ) The best part of Ireland’s game, meanwhile, was the sustained booing of Bertie Ahern that preceded it. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/97 "2003-09-08T11:02:26Z")
I meant to add this bit… It will be interesting to see what happens about the racist abuse on Saturday. I suspect that UEFA will throw the book at Macedonia as they are a small, poor country and cannot qualify under any circumstance. What they won’t do is take on the likes of Turkey, Poland, Russia and Germany who are much worse. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/98 "2003-09-08T11:53:39Z")
Yep, well done to the Jocks, commiserations to the others - quite why I’m congratulating the Sweaty’s for beating 3 men and a dog, I’m unsure . . [ul]Just general observations on God’s chosen people: [li]Delighted for Emile Heskey who I, and seemingly no one else, have always admired – and about whom it was recently said (I forget who did say it, maybe Beckham), if the players picked the team, Heskey would be first on the team sheet. An exaggeration perhaps, but I concur with the sentiment.[/li][li]I’m no fan of Beckham’s off the field malarkey (or his sometimes overrated on-field contribution) but put him in an England shirt, make him captain and he becomes Bernard Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe character[/li] [li]On John Terry:[/li] One: Will someone please talk to him about that barnet. Dear oh dear . . Two: Parliament should pass a law to make him England captain for the next 10 years. [li]Judas flatters to deceive and always has done; relies too much on bulk and not enough on skill. He is not the future.[/li] [li]A. Cole is not sufficiently reliable to be international class – he is a f\*cking idiot gooner space cadet[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/99 "2003-09-08T13:31:29Z")
Some very brief thoughts: **John Terry:** Wasn’t convinced. I’d like him to get a few run-outs, since he could be very good, but he looked a little slow in making decisions to me. **Sol Campbell** : Awful. That’s the worst I’ve seen him play for England. I thought Rio Ferdinance flattered to deceive, but Campbell just looked sluggish and out of form. **Ashley Cole** : Also awful. I’ve always thought he makes a better winger than defender. Wayne Bridge hasn’t done enough to convince yet, but I’m pretty sure he’s a more consistent and reliable defensive player (in a Gary Neville way, maybe). **David Beckham** : Did alright, I thought. Didn’t let the pressure and the dirty tactics get to him as much as they could have done. A reasonable performance. **Frank Lampard** : Thought he looked occasionally good going forwards, but woeful the rest of the time. Don’t remember much that he did, to be honest, so it can’t have been good. **Michael Owen** : Not a good game. Wasn’t bad as such, but failed to make an impression. Much of that can be blamed on the terrible final balls being played, and the lack of Heskey as some supporting muscle until later on, but didn’t convince on the ball either. Or am I just too critical? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/100 "2003-09-08T15:58:22Z")
In other news, Dani and Ivan de la Peña in training today with Celtic. I played in Celtic Park on Saturday, and had the incredible honour of being screamed at by Andy Walker for most of the match, as my standard of play was pretty pants. Still had some great fun, which included skinning Danny McGrain down the wing, and nutmegging my marker. We won 6-1 and I have a great picture of my shirt hanging up in the Celtic dressing room with my name on the back of it. Magic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942.md?page=6)